“We are very proud to have been part of this community for 168 years,” said Miller. “To be part of this fabric of American society is truly an honor for all of us at the Naval Academy.”

MAG is a midshipman-managed community service organization that coordinates numerous projects in the Annapolis area and nationwide. Every year, the approximately 500 midshipmen involved with MAG contribute more than 20,000 hours of service through tutoring and mentoring local students, environmental cleanup projects, hosting the Special Olympics and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) outreach.

In 2013, midshipmen collected more than 60,000 pounds of food for the Harvest for the Hungry program in Anne Arundel County and more than 1,000 toys for Toys for Tots.

Throughout the year, MAG partners with the Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers, Big Sisters to provide companionship to local children and teens. MAG also organizes the Mids for Kids program through which mids devote time during the week to visit eight local schools to tutor and mentor students.

The U.S. Naval Academy has a “real relationship with the community,” said Astle. “The mids do their part to help make this community better.”

Both the House and Senate also recognized members of the Midshipmen Action Group sitting in the gallery during the proceedings.

“We have here today some of the finest young people in the country,” said Busch.